Latest California Healthline Stories
Inmates With Mental Illnesses Wait Months in Jail Before Treatment
Advocates for prison inmates are criticizing the practice of holding individuals with mental illnesses in jail for months until beds at state hospitals become available. Certain inmates have waited three to six months in jail before receiving treatment, experts say. Sacramento Bee.
High Desert’s Black Residents Have Lower Life Expectancy
Recent data from the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health show that black residents in Antelope Valley die on average four years earlier than black residents living in other areas of Los Angeles County and 10 years earlier than all county residents. County health officials said the lower life expectancy for black Antelope Valley residents could be the result of poor access to quality health care; health behaviors, such as diet and obesity; and education and employment levels. Los Angeles Times.
Four Northern Calif. VA Facilities Cited for Health, Safety Issues
Department of Veterans Affairs medical facilities in Northern California have been cited for a total of 25 health and safety violations by the U.S. Department of Labor. About half of the violations were considered “serious.” Contra Costa Times, San Francisco Chronicle.
Poll: Brown’s Approval Rating Dips, But Support for Tax Hike Plan Rises
A recent poll shows that Gov. Brown’s job approval rating has fallen since April, but support for a compromise tax hike plan by Brown and backers of the “Millionaires Tax” has increased slightly. According to the poll, 56% of likely voters now support the plan. Sacramento Bee.
California Hospital News Roundup for the Week of May 25, 2012
Workers at Children’s Hospital & Research Center Oakland have voted in favor of representation by the National Union of Healthcare Workers. Rady Children’s Hospital San Diego seeks to launch a heart transplant program this year, which could make it the fifth California hospital to offer the surgery for children.
Opinion Writers Discuss Merits of Tobacco Tax Hike
In a Sacramento Bee opinion piece, Bee editorial writer Pia Lopez and Ben Boychuk — associate editor of the Manhattan Institute’s City Journal — discuss Proposition 29, a June ballot initiative that would increase California’s tax on cigarettes by $1 per pack to raise funds for cancer research and smoking cessation programs. Lopez argues that a tobacco tax hike in California is “long overdue,” while Boychuk says Prop. 29 “is more ballot-box budgeting, which has exacerbated California’s fiscal woes.” Sacramento Bee.
Takeda To Close S.F. Research Site, Add 30 Jobs in La Jolla
On Wednesday, Takeda Pharmaceuticals announced plans to close a research site in San Francisco and add 30 new jobs at its plant in La Jolla as part of a major restructuring project. The La Jolla research site — which currently has 170 workers — focuses on cancer, immunology and metabolic diseases. U-T San Diego.
CDC: States Spend Small Share of Tobacco Funds on Anti-Smoking Efforts
A new CDC report finds that states spent just 3% of the nearly $244 billion they collected in tobacco settlement funds on anti-smoking efforts. It notes that cigarette sales and smoking rates declined faster when states like California spent more on anti-tobacco programs. Washington Times et al.
Tri-City CEO Accused of Medical Leave Discrimination
Steven Daniel Stein — former senior vice president of legal affairs and chief compliance officer at Tri-City Healthcare District — has filed a legal claim against the agency alleging that CEO Larry Anderson discriminated against him and at least three other employees who sought medical leave. A Tri-City official called Stein’s claim “an attempt to defame and demean” Anderson and “undermine” his accomplishments. U-T San Diego.
Senate Approves Bill To Reauthorize, Modify FDA User-Fee Programs
The Senate approved in a 96-1 vote a bill that would reauthorize and modify FDA’s prescription drug and medical device user-fee programs. The legislation also would create fees to review generic drugs and less-costly biotechnology products. New York Times et al.